Shamrocks used to target

May 28, 2006|BOB OPPENHEIM Tribune Staff Writer

Top-ranked for much of the year in Division 3, the Berrien Springs High School baseball team hopes to live up to that ranking when the district tournament gets underway this week. "We've had good years in the past, so we're used to the target being on us," said Shamrocks coach John Donley. Division 3 Berrien Springs (26-5) is looking for its first district crown since 2001. The Shamrocks face River Valley (14-16) in pre-district action on Tuesday. The Shamrocks swept the Mustangs, 3-2 and 18-3, during the regular season. "I know this," said Donley. "River Valley is not scared of us and Bridgman is not scared of us. I don't know if anyone is. "We have to go up against (River Valley) pitcher Quinn Watkins, who I still think is an all-conference pitcher and is as good a pitcher as there is in the area." Watkins, who stands at 5-5 with a 1.30 ERA, pitched in the 3-2 game against Berrien Springs. The Shamrocks aren't lacking in the pitching department. Kolby Wood (6-1, 0.58 ERA) and Shelby Wood (5-1, 1.51 ERA) lead a strong Berrien Springs pitching staff. On offense, Berrien Springs is led by Scott Snyder (.460), Shelby Wood (.356, 25 RBIs) and Joe Krugh (.354, 26 RBIs). Donley is concerned about the availability of Krugh, who has missed time with a hamstring injury. "We just don't know about him," Donley said. River Valley, which has been a district champion four of the past five years, must find a way to generate some offense. The Mustangs' weakness during the year was lack of clutch hitting. "Our Achilles' heel all year is when we get two strikes we don't make contact," said River Valley coach Neil Carter. No. 8-ranked Bridgman (19-10) can't be counted out at its own district. The Bees play the Berrien Springs-River Valley winner. Bridgman split with Berrien Springs during the regular season, beating them, 5-4, and losing to them, 8-3. Brandywine (15-17) and Buchanan (9-16) meet in a district semifinal. The Bobcats swept the Bucks (12-1 and 18-8) during the regular season. "It's always nice to be on the other side of the bracket away from the ranked teams," said Brandywine coach Dave Sidenbender. "We have to fight the urge to be too confident when we play Buchanan. We have to come out ready to play." Brandywine pitcher Jake Harris stands at 7-7 with a 2.79 ERA. Top Bobcat hitters are Matt Wieger (.494) and Justin Ely (.420, 27 RBIs). Division 2 At the Coloma District, St. Joseph (16-8) is looking for its third straight district crown. The Bears open up district play against Niles (5-19-1). St. Joseph swept the Vikings, 3-0 and 1-0, during the regular season. "We got two pretty good pitchers and the fact that we're not having to play on Tuesday definitely helps us," said St. Joseph coach Ted Hendricks. Jared Knuth (5-1, 0.24 ERA) and Jarret Bross (4-2, 1.31 ERA) are the Bears' standout hurlers. Bross pitched a no-hitter in St. Joseph's 1-0 win over Niles. Cam Luther (.425, 6 homers) and Knuth (.415, 22 RBIs) are St. Joseph's top hitters. Niles coach Mike Vota is concerned the most about his own team. "This year we don't even scout," said Vota. "I don't care who's pitching against us. I don't really necessarily care what batters we're going to be looking at. I care about how my team is playing. That's our focus right now." In the pre-district game on Tuesday, Lakeshore (12-17) faces South Haven. Coloma (12-17) plays the Lakeshore-South Haven winner. Dowagiac (23-6-1) has been moved to the Comstock District and plays Three Rivers (11-7) in a pre-district game on Tuesday. The Chieftains, who were Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West Division champions, swept the Wildcats during the regular season. "It was difficult the last couple of years playing St. Joseph with its pitching," said Dowagiac coach Andy Kruger. On the mound, the Chieftains rely on duo of Jake Cox (7-0, 2.00 ERA) and Jason Fryman (7-3, 3.00 ERA). Offensive leaders for Dowagiac are David Stuppy (.450) and Jamie Simpson (.400). "We've got a good shot to win this district," Kruger said. "We're playing good baseball right now." If Dowagiac wins, No. 9-ranked Paw Paw awaits for the Chieftains in the semifinals. Edwardsburg (11-11) takes on Comstock in a district semifinal. The two teams didn't play each other during the regular season. "We need to play better defensively," said Eddies coach A.J. Gaideski. Jimmy Archambault (.473, 29 RBIs) and Brandon Stapleton (.418, 29 RBIs) are Edwardsburg's premier hitters. Pitcher Taylor Ort stands at 6-3 with a 1.60 ERA. At Battle Creek Harper Creek, Sturgis (21-8) has the tough task of facing No. 1-ranked Battle Creek Lakeview in a pre-district game. Lakeview swept the Trojans (8-1 and 11-0) during the regular season. Sturgis is led by pitcher Tim LaBarge (7-2, 1.50 ERA) and hitters Sergio Cantu (.580) and Bo Felt (.400). Division 4 Defending state champion New Buffalo (11-13) hosts Eau Claire (9-18) in pre-district action. The Bison beat the Beavers twice (17-6 and 8-2) during the regular season. "Lake Michigan Catholic is probably the favorite," said New Buffalo coach Wayne Tremblay. The Lakers (16-4-1) beat the Bison twice (4-1 and 4-0) during the regular season. At Colon, Cassopolis (6-18) received a bye and will meet the Colon-Burr Oak winner. Decatur (14-6) travels to the Lawton District and plays Covert. Staff writer Bob Oppenheim: roppenheim@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6151